The flysh Carpathians of the Moravian-Slovakian borderland are one of few remaining regions of comparatively well-preserved spring and spring fen ecosystems in Central Europe. Therefore, they represent a unique opportunity for detailed ecological studies involving phytosociology (including syntaxonomy and synecology), plant geography, bryology, algology and palaeoecology. Monitoring habitat conditions, namely chemical and physical properties of springwater, should help explain the relationship between p lants and vegetation and the quality of spring environments. Palaeoecological studies can provide information about the origin and development of spring and spring fens. The project will benefit not only the theoretical scientific disciplines mentioned a bove; several practical applications are also expected in nature conservancy (management of protected areas, completion of red lists of threatened and endangered plants], in bioindication of springwater quality, etc. Palaeoecology in general contributes

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